W E L C O M E   B A C K                                                                                             

 

The goal of the Richard McBride Library is to promote students’ love of learning through literacy.

 

The Library is a quiet, calm place where students can thoughtfully choose and enjoy their books. The routines are easy to follow which helps students feel successful and confident. Students are expected to follow the Library Manners and to treat others as well as books and supplies with respect.

Library Manners

Quiet hands Quiet feed Library voices Stay on task Follow directions

 S E P T E M B E R                                                                        

Last September, when I arrived back from summer holidays, the Library was still in the middle of renovations and all the books were in boxes.  It took the better part of the school year to put everything in order. This year has been much easier and we are off to a great start!

The students have fallen back into familiar Library routines.  It is such a pleasure to see how much they have grown and matured from one grade to the next!  Our new Kindergarten students are at home in the Library now and enjoy choosing their own books.  Mrs. Edgar, our Library clerk, is busy processing new books and getting them on the shelves.  Our Monitors provide an essential service, shelving books, organizing supplies and keeping the Library neat and tidy.

 T E R R Y     F O X                                                                                                                 

After a few review lessons, we launched into our Terry Fox Unit.  The students were keen to learn more about this Canadian hero and their respectful and empathetic attitudes towards this serious subject were much appreciated.
 

Terry Fox was born in Winnipeg in 1958 and his family eventually settled in Port Coquitlam.  From an early age, Terry was a determined, tenacious boy who loved sports.  When he was 18, Terry was diagnosed with bone cancer and his right leg was amputated above the knee.

Terry was inspired to run across Canada to raise money for cancer research.  He began his Marathon of Hope in St. John's on April 12, 1980.  Terry ran 26 miles a day for 143 days but was forced to quit when the cancer returned.  Terry passed away on June 28, 1981 at the Royal Columbian Hospital, in New Westminster.

I remember hearing about Terry’s Marathon of Hope of the radio and watching his progress across the country on TV.  I was 18 when he died and now I have a 21 year old son.  I can’t image what his family went through and my heart goes out to all of you who have been effected by cancer.      Terry Fox

 

 A    T Y P I C A L    L I B R A R Y    C L A S S                                                                

This year, there are thirty and fifty minute library blocks. When a class arrives for Library, they check the white board for instructions. Generally they begin by gathering their Library books.  The SMARTboard Book Generator gives the grade one to five students three options for their “have to take out” book which encourages student to explore beyond their usual choices of reading materials.

Students are required to check out at least one book.  This policy assures that students are up and about exploring the library during book exchange, that they are noticing new displays and new books and that they are learning the responsibilities of caring for and returning their Library books. 

After the students have gathered their books, there is usually a theme-based lesson, activity or presentation.  During a fifty minute period this lasts about a half an hour and may include seatwork or a written work.  Students then finish gathering their books and check them out table by table using their Library cards.  If a student has any overdue books, they are unable to take out any books and choose a magazine to take home.

The students tidy up and are dismissed to their teacher.

   S C H O L A S T I C     B O O K    F A I R                                                                                                              

 

Scholastic Book Fairs are now the primary source of funding for our school Library.  The profits from our book fairs allow us to continue to build and renew our collections and provide funds for library supplies and materials.  Please support our Scholastic Book Fair!

 

Monday Oct. 21

Lunch:  Grade 5 only

After school:  3:00 – 4:00

 

Wednesday Oct. 23

Lunch – Grade 1 & 2 only

After school: 2:00 – 5:30

 

Thursday Oct. 24

Lunch - Grade 3 & 4 only

After school: 2:00 – 4:00

Students will have a chance to preview the Book Fair during their Library class.  Because the Fair is held in a classroom and space is limited, we are discouraging “window shopping” during the above times.  We would like to limit admittance to shoppers only.  We take cash, cheques, credit and debit cards.

If you wish to volunteer at the Book Fair and receive 50% off your purchase, please show up at one of the times listed above.  There is no sign up or shift assignments.  Parent volunteers must be present for their children to receive the discount.

 
 O N   M Y    N I G H T    T A B L E                                                                           

This summer I re-read an all-time favourite of mine, A Spot of Bother by Mark Haddon (you may be familiar with his The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time).  Very different from his first novel, Haddon’s A Spot of Bother follows 57 year-old George and his family as he begins his retirement. I found it laugh-out-loud funny and thought-provoking!

I also enjoyed very much The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce.  This touching novel chronicles 65 year-old Harold’s unplanned walk across England to reach his dying friend.  This simple story warmed my heart and I am giving to Mom for Christmas.

Also read and recommended:

The Hundred Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Swedish author Jonas Johnson (a birthday gift for Dad).

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson